Former TCU Student Files Federal Lawsuit Over University’s Handling of Sexual Assault
A former Texas Christian University student filed a federal lawsuit against the school, arguing its sexual assault policies do not protect students from rape and seeking $100 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
The former student argues the private university has violated Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination at educational institutions, by failing to sufficiently punish a male student who was found guilty of sexual assault earlier this year.
“Rather than protect female students from being raped, TCU adopted a policy to protect male students who rape,” the filing reads. “The policy is designed to create the illusion for female students of protecting them by compliance with Title IX, while not offending the male students who rape.”
Background of the Incident
The lawsuit is centered around an incident in the fall of 2024, when the student reported to TCU that she had been raped by a male student in her dormitory. Both students go by pseudonyms in the lawsuit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The former student resides in Virginia.
School officials did not take action until around six weeks after the incident, when the plaintiff retained counsel, the lawsuit states. A panel of TCU administrators and faculty members unanimously found the male student guilty of sexual assault, according to court filings.
The panel decided the male student would retake education on consent provided to all TCU students and write a three- to four-page reflection paper on the “importance of explicit mutually agreed upon consent.” He was reassigned to another residence hall and subject to conduct probation, which means the student is no longer in good standing with the university.
Response from TCU Officials
TCU officials pushed back on the lawsuit’s characterization of the incident and the discipline that followed.
“The complaint omits a key fact: TCU held the accused student accountable and suspended him. He is no longer enrolled at TCU,” TCU spokesperson Greg Staley said in a statement.
He said TCU does not typically comment on student conduct cases, but this lawsuit makes “false claims about our university and its leadership, our students, our history of enforcing our community standards and the student conduct process.”
Demands of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit asks a federal judge to require TCU to expel or suspend students found responsible for rape for at least one year and to note permanently on a student’s transcript if found responsible for rape.
TCU should “treat cases of alleged rape seriously” and interview witnesses in a sexual assault complaint within two weeks of filing, the suit reads. The lawsuit calls for the resignation or termination of Chancellor Daniel Pullin, Deans David Cooper and Jeremy Steidl, and Michael Russel, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.
Prevalence of Sexual Assault on Campus
The lawsuit claims TCU is aware of “rampant” sexual assault on campus, pointing to the school’s public Title IX records. Schools are required under state law to provide their governing boards with the number of reports of sexual harassment, sexual assault-rape, dating violence and stalking they have received.
In fall 2024, TCU received over 60 reports of sexual assault-rape, including self-reports, confidential reports and mandatory reports, which are sent in by campus employees, according to its public records. The data may reflect multiple reports from single incidents.
Three of the 17 actionable cases led to formal investigations by school officials. Some cases were transferred to other TCU offices or were resolved without a formal complaint. Some did not move forward due to the student declining or a lack of response.
Conclusion
The lawsuit highlights the need for universities to take sexual assault cases seriously and provide adequate support and protection to victims. The outcome of this case will have significant implications for how universities handle sexual assault cases and ensure a safe and supportive environment for all students.
FAQs
Q: What is the lawsuit about?
A: The lawsuit is about a former TCU student who claims the university failed to protect her from rape and did not sufficiently punish the perpetrator.
Q: What is Title IX?
A: Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sexual discrimination at educational institutions.
Q: What are the demands of the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit demands that TCU expel or suspend students found responsible for rape for at least one year, note permanently on a student’s transcript if found responsible for rape, and treat cases of alleged rape seriously.
Q: How prevalent is sexual assault on the TCU campus?
A: According to the lawsuit, TCU received over 60 reports of sexual assault-rape in fall 2024, and only three of the 17 actionable cases led to formal investigations.
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